Previously available only in 4 GB and 2 GB editions, Apple's new 1 GB version of its flash memory-based iPod nano MP3 player bridges the gap to the screenless iPod shuffle model.

Apple today introduced the third edition of its iPod nano MP3 player, offering a storage capacity of 1 GB as compared to the 2 GB and 4 GB versions previously available. Identical in form and function to its larger-capacity siblings, the capacity of the 1 GB iPod nano is now on par with the largest-capacity version of Apple's screenless iPod shuffle player, which today saw its price reduced to $100 USD in conjunction with the launch of the new nano.

The iPod nano 1 GB, meanwhile, will sell at $150 USD, compared to $200 USD for the 2 GB version and $250 USD for the maximum-capacity 4 GB version. To compete with among other players Sony's NW-E407 and the JVC XA-MP101, the iPod nano is now immediately available worldwide with European pricing mimicking that of US pricing - albeit in the Euro currency.